Al Qaeda threat has Europe on tenterhooks

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Europe is seeing a massive ramp-up of security following the threat of 26/11-type terror attacks in its cities. The US has told its citizens they could face a Mumbai-style strike in the UK. At the same time, the UK's foreign office has its citizens they could face an 'indiscriminate att

Europe is seeing a massive ramp-up of security following the threat of 26/11-type terror attacks in its cities.

The US has told its citizens they could face a Mumbai-style strike in the UK. At the same time, the UK's foreign office has its citizens they could face an 'indiscriminate attack from Osama-inspired fanatics' when travelling to France or Germany.

Because of the alert, security has been stepped up to unprecedented levels across the UK and European cities.

In London, US tourists have been told to avoid the Canary Wharf and the Tower of London. Mainline railway stations such as the King's Cross are also under threat.

The alert is based on the interrogation of an Al Qaeda operative by US agencies. The operative - a German arrested in Kabul - has also named the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris as targets. The central station, Alexander-Platz TV tower and Adlon Hotel in Berlin too have been surveyed for possible attacks.

The operative told interrogators about the existence of cells of armed fanatics in European cities. US intelligence chiefs say that Osama Bin Laden personally ordered the attacks in UK.

The UK terror threat is quoted as severe - meaning an attack is considered 'highly likely' and just short of 'imminent'.

The US alert is just one step below a formal travel warning advising Americans not to visit Europe.

On the list of suspects are two British citizens of Pakistani origin - one of whom was reportedly killed in drone strikes in Pakistan earlier this month - and eight Germans. They are said to have received training in camps in Pakistan.

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